Red Tide Feared At Area Beaches

October 20, 1999|By Ludmilla Lelis of The Sentinel Staff

NEW SMYRNA BEACH - Red tide, an algae that can cause large fish kills and breathing problems and dizzy spells in humans, may have drifted into the ocean near Bethune Beach and Canaveral National Seashore.

Environmental health officials will test the water today to confirm whether red tide is the cause of several recent cases of beach-goers who reported breathing problems and rashes.

``We have reason to believe it's red tide,'' said Pete Thornton, director of environmental health at the Volusia County Health Department. ``We'll probably know by Thursday.''

Last week, state officials said red tide had broken out for the first time in three corners of the state, including the beaches from Jacksonville to St. Augustine. The other areas affected were along the southwest coast and the Panhandle.

Red tide is a natural phenomenon caused by the organism Gymnodinium breve. When the algae blooms into a big outbreak, it can kill fish and other marine creatures and make people sick.

If Volusia health officials confirm that red tide is present, beaches could be closed and fishing and shellfish harvesting could be banned in the affected areas, said county spokesman Dave Byron.

People with severe or chronic respiratory conditions are advised to avoid the affected area as much as possible, while beachside residents in Bethune Beach should close their windows and mask their faces when they walk outside.

It's not known if Hurricane Irene might have helped to spread the bloom or encouraged the organism to multiply.

Symptoms of exposure to red tide include numbness of the lips, tongue and throat, dizziness, coughing, muscle aches, diarrhea and vomiting. Symptoms typically fade within a few hours to a few days after the exposure has ended. There are few lasting effects, and no deaths have ever been reported from red tide exposure.

Residents can call the health department at (904) 947-3488 or (904) 947-3489.